Students at Northwest Community College's campuses will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to $1.2 million in capital funding that is part of government's investment in B.C.'s post- secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrades, which will take place at the Terrace, Houston, Hazelton, Prince Rupert and Kitimat campuses, will address routine maintenance and safety of infrastructure and systems. In addition, the Terrace trades facility will benefit from renewal of its air compressor.

The college and government also announced today how over $839,000 in one- time funding - provided this spring - http://ow.ly/d64SK - will be used to offer short-term training in the region.

The college expects to create seats in a variety of trades-related fields throughout the college region over the coming year, including introduction to trades, mining skills, and possible alternative delivery of technical training for electrical and heavy duty mechanics.

B.C. taxpayers are providing more than $18 million for NWCC's operations this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance

- up from $14.6 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the college has increased nine per cent since 2003-04.

More than $21 million in capital investments have been made at the college since 2001, including renovation and expansion of the Smithers campus and the new Prince Rupert campus.